Daily Devotions
December 20th, 2016 by Pastor SolleyLuke 2:1-5 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
KJV
Sorry there was no devotional yesterday. Pastor was very ill but feeling better today. Most people will ask you ”Are you ready for Christmas?” They ask because there is a great deal of preparation that goes into Christmas and the way we celebrate it. Family dinners to plan and prepare for, special church services, gifts to purchase and so on and so forth. There is a lot to do to get ready for Christmas. Joseph and Mary had a lot to do before that first Christmas, before Jesus Christ was given into this world. The last thing on their minds would have been traveling to Bethlehem with the arrival of the new baby so near. Yet they had to do that God’s hand is in the decree as well. Lodging had to be secured along the way and when they arrived as well. There were no motels, no buses to take, so they had to depend upon the hospitality of strangers to help them along the way and family when they arrived. They had a lot to do. We have a lot to do today as was noted, but one thing we need to be careful not to do is shut Jesus Christ out of Christmas no matter how busy we are. Christ was the reason they went to Bethlehem and Christ should be at the center of all that we do at Christmas time. Don’t be so busy you shut Jesus out of Christmas.